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Chapter 3

Sheik felt warm. He almost felt too warm. With a small groan, Sheik opened his heavy eyes. His room was still pretty dark, thanks to his blackout curtains, but he could see little slivers of light escaping around the edges. He felt the heat again, but this time he knew exactly where the warmth was coming from. Pressed tightly against him was the cuddled up, deeply breathing form of Link.

Sheik blinked, trying to remember the events that led to this particular scene. Unfortunately, his memories were a bit fuzzy, and sent a sharp pang into his temple. He sighed and carefully lifted his blanket and took a peek underneath. They were, thankfully, fully clothed. Sheik felt a bit relieved at this discovery. He didn't want to acknowledge the small twinge of disappointment he felt. Sheik knew that it wouldn't have been the best idea for him to sleep with Link last night. That didn't mean it hadn't crossed his mind, though. Sheik pressed his fingers into his temples and gave a almost silent sigh. Quietly slipping from his bed, Sheik tip toed out of his bedroom, and shut the door carefully behind.

The living room was bathed completely in the morning light. Sheik could smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and could hear Zelda humming to herself in the kitchen. Sheik's chest welled up with a sense of impending dread at having to face her. He could already imagine the smug look she would give him.

"Do you want some tea, Sheik? Or are you going to loom in the hallway forever?" Zelda's voice was just as bright as usual. Sheik rolled his eyes and pushed himself towards the kitchen. Zelda set his favorite mug at the bar, and some toast on a plate. She gestured for him to sit with a kind smile.

Sheik took a seat on the barstool, and watched skeptically as Zelda poured the boiling water into his mug. "Thanks. What time is it?" He watched as the tea stained the water slowly. He breathed in the scent of his tea. The smell alone was waking him up a bit more. He caught his reflection in one of the mirrored surfaces behind Zelda. He didn't look as bad as he felt. Sheik's hair still looked soft. It was loose around his face, and, as always, managed to cover his left eye completely. Sheik thought he looked...okay. He never really felt any particular way about his looks. He did work out to stay fit, and he was a generally clean person. He always kept his hair looking decent... He wondered what Link thought of his looks... Sheik shook his head a bit, and picked up his tea.

"It's only 8:30." Zelda watched as Sheik took a measured sip from his tea. She looked at the couch innocently. "So..." Zelda nonchalantly started to examine her nails. Sheik knew the gold polish was still pristine. He knew she was trying to seem uninterested.

"So, what?" Sheik raised his eyebrow as he took another sip of his tea. "Just spit it out already. I know you're dying to know."

A huge smile split Zelda's face and she started to hop a bit where she was standing. "Is my brother in your bed? Naked?"

Sheik felt his face heat up. He could only imagine the scenarios running through Zelda's perverted blonde head. "No. He isn't." Her dejected face made him laugh. "I gave him some pajamas." Sheik didn't try to pretend that he ever knew what exact Zelda was thinking at any given time. She was usually an enigma. Her tastes were always changing. He could, however, tell that she was interested in the happenings of last night. He might as well indulge her.

"He is in my bed though."

She perked up a bit. "How much sleeping did you actually do?"

Sheik sipped his tea again and mumbled, "I don't really remember. But I woke up fully clothed so..." He gave a nonchalant shrug. "I'm surprised you're so chipper this morning. No hangover?"

"Pfft." Zelda sputtered out an obnoxious laugh. She waved her hand mockingly at Sheik. "I was faking! I wasn't anywhere near being drunk!" She thrust her hands into her hips and smirked, "I just wanted an excuse for Link to come home with us. Honestly, Sheik. I get the best alcohol money can buy. I could drink a hardened sailor under the table."

While he wanted to feel upset and shocked at Zelda's confession, Sheik could only shake his head with a chuckle. He knew that any lie Zelda had to tell came strictly from a place of love. Also, the thought of Zelda out-drinking a grown man was absolutely hilarious. Sheik could picture Zelda posed like a pirate captain with her bottle of rum handy.

"You are...something else."

Zelda's eyes became even brighter, and her smile could light up the darkest room. "You love me."

Reaching his arm out, Sheik gently grabbed Zelda's hand. "Of course. And thanks for making Link take you home. I hate that we didn't meet sooner, by the way." A slight glare was sent Zelda's way as her smile started to dim. Her eyes darted to Sheik's room.

"He's been in the Knight academy this past year. Training to join the guard." Zelda suddenly looked so sad. "Our father has always been on Link to uphold tradition, and become a Knight. He's such a gentle soul though, and the times of war have been over for sometime. What's the point of dedicating your life for outdated legends? Link doesn't want to disappoint our father."

Sheik could feel the pain of high expectations in his chest. He had experienced the weight of traditions. He felt sympathy for sweet, boyish Link. "What about his art? You've said he's quite good."

"He's brilliant. Watercolor, oils, pastels, anything. His sketching, though, is where he finds the most joy, I think. There was rarely a day that Link didn't have graphite covering his hands. I haven't seen him sketch in a while though..." Her emerald eyes met his again. "Father finds it to be a bit too... feminine, I think is the appropriate wording."

The words hung darkly in the air between then. Sheik felt anger growing in his stomach. He had met Zelda's father once, and never would have pegged him as that type of person. Sheik didn't know how to respond to such outdated thinking. An almost silent yawn was heard from behind Sheik's closed door, and that put a small smile back on Zelda's face.

"I was hoping that spending time with you would spark some artistic inspiration back in Link." Sheik felt Zelda's yearning for her brother's happiness in the depths of his soul. He knew how the delicate notes of the piano resonated with his entire being. He couldn't imagine being torn away from music.

"I hope so, too."

XXXX

Link sat up in the soft bed and stretched his arms dramatically over his head. He could tell he drank a little too much by the way the grogginess lingered in his head. He forced himself out of the bed. Link quickly fixed up the bed. It didn't look as pristine as it did when he first saw it, but he hoped it would do. He also took the liberty of open opening the curtains. The light filled the space, and Link squinted at the brightness. With another stretch, up into the air and down to the floor, Link looked around for his belongings. His clothes weren't in here, which meant his phone was probably still in his pocket. Link sighed and started to walk towards Sheik's bathroom. He looked down at the piano, and stopped to study it closer.

Link let his hand gently drift over the keys. They felt cold against his fingertips. There were buttons along the top. From the looks of it, they allowed the piano to make different sounds. Link was sure the piano had many settings, and he couldn't imagine ever knowing what they all did. Link wanted to sit on the worn bench but the sound of the bedroom door opening started him away from the instrument. Sheik shut the door behind him and smiled as he met Link's gaze. He saw Link's fingers lingering on the piano and walked vet towards him. Sheik pulled the bench out and sat down gently.

"I've had this piano since I was in high school. I saved up every time I got any money. It took months to get enough." Sheik reached over and pressed the power button. Link watch as Sheik slide his hands into place. The movement was so graceful and almost like it happened without Sheik meaning it to. It was obvious that Sheik was well practiced. It was almost...sensual the way Sheik's fingers layer upon the keys. "Any requests?" Sheik's red eyes questioned him softly.

Link felt nervous at Sheik's gaze. He didn't know much about music. He didn't want Sheik to judge him for his lack of knowledge. "Uh I guess Debussy?" Sheik's eye twitch a little and Link felt incredibly stupid. "I'm sorry. You can play anything. I...don't know many composers..."

"No. Debussy is perfect. He's actually one of my favorite composers." Sheik's smile was serene as beautiful music started to pour from the piano. The music was familiar to Link and the soft notes made his eyebrows raise. He watched as Sheik's fingers danced across the keyboard. Sheik had his eyes closed and Link noticed how his entire body was moving along with his hands. The chords were deep and impactful and Link could only watch in amazement as the music flowed around them. Link never wanted the beautiful sounds to end. He never wanted to stop watching Sheik. He clenched his hand. He hadn't felt like this is what seemed like forever. He suddenly wanted to capture this moment. Maybe it was the music sparking inspiration.

The music came to sweet stop. The last chord resonated through the air. Sheik breathed out, and looked up to see Link's face. Link enjoyed the slightly flushed look and contented smile on Sheik's face. It truly showed the absolute joy he felt playing the piano. Sheik pushed his messy hair out of his face. Link was only just realizing that he hadn't actually seen Sheik's face cleared of his hair. His crimson eyes were striking. Sheik's nose was straight and complimented his pouty lips nicely.

"Did you like it?" Sheik had been playing piano since he was a boy, but performing in front of others always stirred a bit of nerves in him. He knew his playing was technically flawless. He knew Clair de Lune by heart. He still worried that his playing was robotic or forced.

"Are you kidding? it was stunning." the sincerity on Link's face would have been impossible to fake.

"Thanks." Sheik remembered Zelda was sitting in the kitchen waiting for them. "Oh. Zelda made some breakfast if you're hungry." At the mention of food Link's stomach growled obnoxiously. Sheik laughed, and watched a flushed Link make his way out of his bedroom.

"Finally! I was just about to barge in there." Zelda was standing in the hallway with her hands on her hips. Sheik wondered what she was expecting to find when she opened his door.

"You're being invasive, Zelda." Link's voice was serious, but a note of humor laced his words.

"No I'm not. I'm trying to be a good host, and was coming to let you know I made you some eggs." She flung her hair over her shoulder in an exaggerated motion, smacking Link across the face with her locks. Sheik was surprised when Link merely brushed his face off with a sigh and followed Zelda to the kitchen. He took a seat in front of a plate of 2 fried eggs.

"Are you going to stay, and hang out today?" Zelda poured Link a glass of their milk and set it gently in front of him. "We can just hang out here. Maybe get some dinner brought in?" Zelda was pleading Link with her eyes. Her lower lip started to jut out a bit. Sheik, once again, felt sympathy for Link. He knew having Zelda as a sister must take a massive amount of energy.

"I don't know… I don't want to bother you guys."

"It's not a bother, Link. You can stay as long as you want." Sheik sat down on the living room couch. He glanced over his shoulder a bit. He wanted to reassure Link that he was more than welcome to stay however long he wanted. He also didn't want to seem to excited about the idea. He hoped he sounded somewhere between nonchalant and pleased.

Zelda's laugh broke Sheik's composure. "What Sheik means is you should definitely stay as long as you want, and he can't wait to sit next to you some more." Sheik glared at Zelda with as much malice as he could muster.

"I said what I meant you harpy. I can speak for myself, thank you."

Zelda mimed a sword plunging into her heart. Sheik just snorted at her drama. "Your words wound me Sheik." Sheik tried to keep the smile off his face. He didn't want to give her any sort of satisfaction. Link was laughing up a storm as Zelda continued to pretend to die.

"I suppose I can stay for today." Link smiled and finished scooping his breakfast into his mouth. Sheik sunk down into the couch and finally allowed a small smile onto his face.